From the builders who brought you award-winning Amon Hen and Rivendell...

"Dear MOCpages,

Jack and I are back with our latest creation from Tolkien's Middle Earth, this one from his book, The Hobbit. When we saw the first movie last year, we loved it too much not to build a scene from it. Of course, we couldn't build any thing less than the iconic dwarf city. So here it is, our third and latest collaboration (our first was Amon Hen, our second was Rivendell). We chose Erebor for many reasons, not the least of which was that we love building mountains [sarcasm]. This build was a ton of fun, and we hope you enjoy it. And now, it is our pleasure to present Erebor, the dwarven hall of kings."

Signed,
Blake Baer, 17, and Jack Bittner, 18

"Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To seek our pale enchanted gold.

The pines were roaring on the heights,
The wind was moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light.

The bells were ringing in the dale,
And men looked up with faces pale.
The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire,
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon.
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled the hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon."

Stats about Erebor

-16 32x32 baseplates arranged in a 4x4 pattern totaling a base area of 16,384 studs or 1,600 square inches.
-More than 80,000 pieces were used in this creation making it weigh close to 200 lbs.
-The peak is 56 inches tall.
-Comes apart into 11 separate sections.
-A combined 400+ hours time investment was spent on this creation.

Build Notes

Hey all,

Well, after almost 6 months of work, here it is. Erebor, I am proud to say, is the largest creation I have had the pleasure of working on and completing. I guess I had a lot of fun with the rocks in Rivendell (although I was probably traumatized by them, and I got psychologically mixed up) so Jack and I decided to build an entire mountain. Bad idea that. But we somehow slogged our way through the mind-numbingly tedious hours, and managed to finish it off.

I had a blast working on this project. There is something so inherently satisfying about seeing a project like this come to a close and enjoying the attention it receives that really makes all the hard work worth it. Jack is an incredible guy, and it means a lot to me that he can stand to work by my side for such long periods of time, haha. You're the best buddy!

Thank you all for the incredible support over the years. This is I think my 5th year here on MOCpages, and it has been an awesome experience. I am humbled. My thanks and complete respect to the moderators and administrator of this fine site. You guys do so much that doesn't get noticed.

Also, this will likely be my artistic "swan song" for a while in the community. I am at the point in my life where I need to focus on things other than LEGO. It is becoming too much of a distraction. Don't worry, I am gonna keep my Flickr and MOCpages, and I will likely still be very active in the community. Just not as much building from my end. So with that said, please enjoy this creation in light of my temporary retirement from the community.

Lets be real here, nobody even reads this stuff. You all just want to see the creation, so here it is!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you... Erebor!

Video

Pictures

Just as a heads up, you're gonna need a lot of energy to reach the bottom. I didn't realize how many pics I decided to include, but there are... lots. Sorry about that. Good luck! See you at the bottom.

Be sure to check out the entire Flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/baericks/sets/72157638097215594/with/11075300765/

Windmill

Those of you who watched the video will have noticed that I included some mechanics to make it move. Below is a schematic helping to show how I managed to achieve it.

Support Structure

In Progress

Jack and I started out trying to keep a pretty good record of the build, but like any artists who are caught up in the inspiration and excitement, we gradually let the ball roll a little bit more than we should have. However, here are all of the in-progress pictures that we managed to log. It gives a good idea about how large it actually is.

At Brickfair

Erebor was set up and displayed at Brickfair 2013, a popular LEGO convention in Washington DC. It won the best castle award, and received much attention and attraction from public and attendees alike. Like our previous models, this one is modular in order to allow it to be boxed and shipped. Unfortunately, I didn't want to take it apart and show you guys the pictures of the sections, so you'll just have to take my word for it, haha.

Well fellas, there she is. Erebor! I hoped yall like it. Please be sure to rate it or leave a comment below letting me know what you thought. I always enjoy reading through your comments.

Obviously, wow. Amazing job, just like the other collabs. Every detail is fantastic. Ones that particularly stood out: The volume of rockwork. The olive-green tree (so natural!). Varied pathways make it so believable. Clever use of those 8-sided bar bits on the roof. The lake water and such as viewed from the side is very neat. Just enough architectural detail. Sticker usage is great. Clever pauldron-birds. Windmill! The insane size and uniform great quality!

Wow, I know you've been hearing this a lot, but WOW. You two are some of the finest builders out there, so it's always a pleasure when y'all collaborate. Though it's disappointing you'll be taking a break from building Blake, real-life is more important and time consuming sometimes. Hope to see you around.
Btw Jack, I'm digging the Golden State shirt! :D

Wow...I am literally speechless right now! Everything from the mountain to the town to the river to the everything is just so perfectly done! You two must have had a lot of free time on your hands to do this project! Man, I'm still marveling at this!

I like it

Lars Kumpfert

November 27, 2013

<3 <3 <3

I like it

Graeme Straughn

November 27, 2013

Behold. The next Rivendel! AMAZING!!! Blake, you are by far the best TOFL on here and maybe the best builder on MOCpages! Great work! Witch one is you in one of the pictures? Left or Right? Thanks!

I've been thinking about this MOC and your temporary departure all day. (Which is not a good thing when your in the middle of chemistry, haha!) I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at it! The waterfall is just spectacular! I actually didn't notice it before, due to all the other spectacular details and textures. Once again, incredible work! It's sad that you'll be taking a break from building, but like you said, real life is more important. Keep us updated on how things are going! :)

I could go on and on about how amazing this is, but everybody else is doing that so let me just say thank you. Thank you for including so many photos! I get so mad when people do these huge impressive builds and present it to the world in only a couple of long shot pics. When you do a build with this much effort and dedication you need to showcase every tiny detail. I love looking at it all.

I don't know which of the countless details like most. In real life, I could easely look and see for an hour and more to try to discover all them them, fantastic! One remark : You really picked anything for the support structure, wouldn't a choice of for instance Duplo , or even technics, been easier?

I know for a fact how parts intensive even a small amount of rockwork can be, so the amount of bricks it must have taken to make that mountain is just mind blowing. This build is crazy awesome, man. You two outdid yourselves.

This is by far the best Lego creation that I've seen on MOCpages. Awesome. The details alone are beyond description. Your team work has really paid off. Since it took six months to build Erebor, I bet it kept you two out of trouble.

Perfect, in everyway. The roofing, the bee-hive, the elfin deer, the mountain structure, the roads, even the kites, perfect. This must be my favorite system MOC of the year. Nothing else comes close to the majesty of this creation. Well done, you deserved that award without a doubt in my mind. Stay strong, my friends.

Blake, for three years, you and Jack have turned out three absolutely stunning, mind-blowing creations. When I saw Amon Hen, I was awed. Then came Rivendell. I didn't think that someone could build a more perfect, more beautiful MOC. I was wrong… Words cannot describe how incredible, how beautiful, and how perfect your Erebor is. The accuracy, architecture and rockwork are absolutely mind-blowing. My favorite part has got to be all the detailing though. It makes the MOC so much more alive, so to speak and really speaks of the beauty of Tolkien's world. Sorry for the really long comment; it's impossible to tear your eyes from this masterpiece! Thank you both for continuing to share your unbelievable talent and hats off to both of you. Got anything planned for next year? ;) Good luck with life and God Bless you!

You have never ceased to amaze me! I could literally spend hours looking at this MOC and savoring each detail! Absolutely stunning work! What a way to end with a bang! We will all look forward to your return to building again; in the meantime we'll be glad that you're sticking around in the commenting and such :D From the start I was inspired by your building, and it will never stop! It's been great getting to meeting you a little bit over the MO, and maybe I'll get a chance to meet you one day. Anyway, thanks for being and continuing to be an inspiration to LEGO builders of all ages. God Bless! ~ David FNJ

Absolutely beautiful!!! You guys really outdid yourselves (and many of us, too!) with this one. There's just WAY too much to say about this in a small comment box, but suffice for the moment to say that it's a truly memorable work - hard to accomplish these days, among so many talented builders. Here's wishing you (and Jack) the very best out there in the real world, and like my good friend, Mr. Phipson, I'll look forward to your return to the community when life allows. Cheers!

This is just... fantastic! (And thank you for the little "shout out" in the commentary ;) ). Truly a visual masterpiece! As far as real life goes, take care of the more important things in life and we'll be here waiting when you "get back." ~ Chris.

Wow. Truly a work of the highest art and clearly a labour of love. This is outstanding. And there are not too many pictures - they allow us to fully appreciate the level of detail and craftsmanship that exists all over this incredible build.

Wow Blake, I am stunned. The sheer detail and size of this creation is astonishing! The angles on the 2 dwarf statues are just magnificent, and the gate itself is fantastic! That city is beautiful, I love the techniques you used, and angles you created. You and Mr. Bittner certainly have a God-given talent, and I always love to see the result of it. I am very sad to hear that you will not be building as much, as I thoroughly enjoy viewing your mocs on the internet, and one of my dreams is to meet you, Mr. Bittner, and your creations one day in person, most likely at Brickfair.
Again, this is just mind-blowing, and I look forward to your next creations, whenever they shall be.
Cheers, and God bless you two and your wonderful gifts!
~Matthew Oh~

Whoa! Simply outstanding! The detail in your creations is so incredible! 80,000 pieces! That is just insane! You and your friend are true masters when at this! I really like how all the photos are crystal clear and super high-definition! Great, great job! 5/5!

Wow, Blake, just wow. I love all of it, the details, architecture, rockwork, water, landscaping: It's all gorgeous! Incredible work! Too bad you'll be taking a break, will it be temporary? I read the description. ;)

Holy Cow! I've been waiting to see more pictures of this for forever! This is amazing! 400 hours to build! I don't think I would have lasted that long! I really can't put into words what I think of this! It's absolutely mind blowing! You and Jack are very gifted builders!

Blake, for the last 3 years you and Jack have astounded me with some of the best Lord of the Rings LEGO creations around. Actually, some of the best LEGO creations around. Having seen spoiler pictures earlier from people's posting of this piece's debut, I looked forward greatly to the official posting. (As if I didn't make that clear already over the last couple months...) And I daresay, you didn't disappoint. The sheer scale makes this look almost like a micro, until you lean forward and the world of Erebor opens before your eyes. The vivid, almost gaudy foliage and vibrant red city juxtapose their liveliness against the sombre mountainside - I can almost hear the bustling town and awakening wildlife. This seems a stunning compilation of prior MOCs, the brilliance of the Wizard of Oz is melded into Fire and Water, Smaug's lair is used to expand the mountain of your first Warscape volume, and the rich landscape of Beorn's house and the three trolls is reincarnated. Almost a culmination of all the skills you've acquired over these 5 years, and what an impressive 5 years they've been. Kudos on your continued achievements in the community, you're one of the finest builders I've had the pleasure of knowing and hope to meet you in person one day. After you get your education and work all settled, go back into the convention circuit - I'll be there. ;)
So ends the reign of Baer - farewell.

It's no news to you Blake, but this is nothing less than a masterpiece. Congratulations on the BFVA award too! You and Jack really went all out on this. As the saying goes, "third time's a charm." Bravo! I think one of my favorite elements is actually the "Erebor" brick-writing. Fantastic additional detail! Heh, you weren't kidding when you said you've got a crazy amount of Lego. ;)

I was worried for a second that this would be eligible for a CCC entry... Thankfully I don't have to compete against this! It is quite amazing and a build I think is unbeatable! Congrats on getting Best in Castle! and I will miss seeing your builds around as much :(
Also, I feel your pain with the rock work, making a mountain look random when you have to be repetitive with your pieces is very tiring, great job on that!

Spectacular build! I've been looking for you to post the detailed pictures of this amazing build since August when the Community Team posted on their blog that you'd won the "Best Castle" award at BrickFair: Virginia. You've packed a lot of great details into this piece. I particularly like your parts usage for the blue, white and red birds in the trees.

:[_____] This is simply amazing. You've done it again, Blake and Jack. You've astounded me again. I'm speechless for once in my life. Trust me, that isn't something that happens often. This is truly a work of masterful art.

I'm speechless... there are no words to describe that... Blake, you have truly phenomenal talent; it's encouraging to know that there are other Christian builders out there like you, that build these mind-blowing creations. Your work never ceases to amaze me. I am saddened that you will have to be spending less time on here, because your work always inspires. Again, incredible build! Great work!

Holy... That's incredible. At first I thought it was micro scale, but then I saw the up-close pics and was blown away. Truly amazing work, guys. Congratulations! This is definitely my new favorite build, so it's time to update the homepage ;)